Office



(No ModeL) H L, KINGSLEY.

ROAD G-ART.

. U ED STATES Letters Patent l lf o. 284,132", dated Au guStiQLS,

hSIEE dIFIGATIQN formingpart of r Nr OFFICE .Application filed August1,1883. (No model,

First, in the combination of pivoted. shafts provided with across-piece, an arm which extends outward from the axle, and a set-screwwhich passes through both the cross-bar of the axle and the front endeither of the arm which extends out from the axle or the swinging nutwhich isattached thereto, for the purpose of raising and lowering theshafts to correspond to the height of the horse. The object of this partof my invention is to adjust the shafts, and through the shafts theproper position of the body, so as to correspond to the height of thehorse, and thus prevent the body from tilting either too far forward orbackward.

Second, in the combination of the axle, the side springs which areattached thereto, and which have their front ends formed into scrolls,the ends of the scrolls being attached to the body either by means ofequalizers or by means of cross-bars which extend across the under sideof the body, as may be preferred. The object of this part of myinvention is to soconstruct the front ends of the springs and attachthem to the body that they will automatically lengthen or shorten,according to the weight which is placed in the body.

3 Figure 1 is a sideelevation' of a cart embodying my invention, shownpartly in section. Fig. 2 is a detailview, showing the arm which extendsoutward from the axle. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the swing-link.

. A represents the axle, and B the body. This body may be given anyshape or form that may be preferred, but is here shown as cut away atthe front corners, so as to enable the person to step into the vehiclefrom the front of the wheels. I do not limit myself in any respect sofar as the mere construction of the body is concerned, for itmay beinade' to enter either from the-rear or front end, as maybe 'preferred.The *springsO ar seeurea' to' the axle in the usual mannemand extendforw ar as far as the rear e d of thefbodyftd whic they may be attachedeit her by means equalizers o'rrany other devices; that ne be preferredfor that purpose. 3 The'front endsof these springs "project forward asuitable dis tance, and arebent into the'scrolls D, as shown. Theen'dsofthese scrolls willbeattached to the body either 'by equalizers or to theends of the cross-bar which extends across under the body, asmay bepreferred. Thefronten'ds of 65 the springs being curved,-as here shown,they. automatically lengthen or shorten, according to the weight whichis placed in the body, causing the body to ride more easily, preventingthe horse motion from being imparted to the body, and cheapening thecost of construction by dispensing with the usual connecting parts. Thescrolls of the springs are placed under the front. end of the bodybecause the lightest part of the weight comes upon this end. As thelargest portion of the weight comes upon the rear. end of the body theheaviest and strongest portion of the spring should come under this end,so as to support it. Should the scroll be placed under the rear end ofthe body, the body would have a con stant tendency to tilt backward.

In order to regulate the height of the shafts a so as to correspond tothe height of the horse, and to regulate the position of the body sothat it will not tilt too far forward or backward, a crossbar, E, issecured between the rear ends of the shafts at any suitable distance infront of the axle. These shafts are pivoted upon either the top or frontside of the axle, so as to have a free adjustment, according to the sizeof the horse which is hitched to the vehicle. Secured to the center ofthe axle, and extending outward from its under side, is an arm or rod,G, to the front end of which is preferably attached a swinging nut or1oop, I. Passing down through the cross-bar and enterin g the swingingloop upon the front end of this rod or arm is a swiveled set-screw, J.The arm being rigidly secured to the under side of the axle and theshafts being hinged thereto, by turning this set-screw the shafts may beforced either upward and away from the rod or arm or may be drawn downtoward it, as may be desired. In case a large horse is hitched to thevehicle, and the shafts were not properly adjusted beforehand, the bodywould be tilted too far backward, and thus made unpleasant to ride in.To overcome this defect the shafts must be raised by turning theset-screw so as to correspond to .the height of the horse. If a smallerhorse is hitched to the vehicle, it is necessary to lower the shaftscorrespondingly. Although one rod is here shown as projecting out fromthe axle, and only one set-screw is shown, there may be two of the rodsor arms and two set-screws, one rod and set-screw upon each side of thevehicle. In order to turnthis screw and adjust the shafts withoutleaving the'vehicle, a hole is made through its bottom, and through thisbottom can be inserted 'a socket-wrench, which will be long enough toreach down and catch over the head of the screw. This constructionenables the rider to adjust the inclination of the body to suit himself.A swinging nut or loop is used upon the front end of the rod or arm forthe purpose of allowing the screw to be freely moved with out binding.As the front end of the body is raised or lowered more or lessupon acircle, it

becomes necessary to allow some play for the screw, and a swinging nutor loop is used for thatpurpose. I

I am aware there are various ways of adj usting the shafts to differentheights, so as to keep the body horizontal when the vehicle is used withdifferent-sized horses, and I do not claim such,broadly; but theforwardly-project ing bar, with the swing-link and screw, is a simpleand effective device, and I wish to limit my claim thereto.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a road-cart, thecombination of the axle, the springs, the body, the forwardly-projectingbar or arm, the swing-link, the screw, and the pivoted shaft-frame, theparts being arranged to operate substantially as shown.

2. In a road-, cart, the combination of the axle, the springs, and. thebody, the front ends of the springs being formed into scrolls and 7connected to the body, substantially as set forth. x

i In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

HORACE L. KING-SLEY.

Witnesses:

J. W. GARNER, E A. LEHMANN.

